This 346-mile drive from Rutherford, TN to Knoxville, TN is a straightforward journey that can be comfortably completed in about 6 hours and 24 minutes. It's primarily focused on highway travel, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day trip. With a projected fuel cost of $54, it’s an economical option for exploring within the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on I-40, offering a consistent driving experience. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive. This route is ideal if you're looking for efficiency and a direct path between these two Tennessee locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
173 miles from Rutherford, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
303.6 mi
5h 29m
US 45W
20.1 mi
23m
US 45W Bypass
14.6 mi
18m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
South Trenton Street
2.3 mi
3m
North Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Henley Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 303.6 mi, about 5h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rutherford, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on TN 105
106 ft·7 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto SR 105
2.3 mi·3 min·South Trenton Street
3
Continue on North Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
4
Turn right
0.2 mi·18 sec
5
Turn left onto US 45W
20 mi·23 min·US 45W
6
Turn left onto US 45W Bypass; US 70A Bypass; US 79 Bypass
15 mi·18 min·US 45W Bypass; US 70A Bypass; US 79 Bypass
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 40; US 412
127 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 40; US 412
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
16
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 24-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Rutherford, TN, to maximize daylight and arrive in Knoxville with time to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in choosing where to rest. The longest stretch on I-40 is over 300 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the longer interstate segment, to avoid any unexpected delays. The $54 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking current prices before you leave is always a good idea.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173 miles from Rutherford, TN, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 76 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knoxville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rutherford, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rutherford, TN
This is one driving day of about 346 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Rutherford, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 303.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 37.7 and 345.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
37.7 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
164.9 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
168.1 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
344.8 mi into trip|~6h 22m in
Take the exit toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...
7
345.2 mi into trip|~6h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.10 one way
$102.19 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$56.41
$112.82
premium
$4.72
$64.24
$128.48
diesel
$4.80
$65.33
$130.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.8
1
$36.33
$16.61
Efficient EV
86.5
0
$30.28
$13.84
EV Truck/SUV
138.4
1
$48.44
$22.14
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Rutherford, TN
Morning
in Rutherford on Sunday
Local time
9:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:15AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
10:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Patchy Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
N 0 to 5 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:15AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 24m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 190.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, with 98% of this 346-mile route utilizing major roadways. The bulk of your journey, a continuous stretch of 303.6 miles, will be on I-40. This means you'll encounter consistent speeds and typical interstate conditions for extended periods. While the profile suggests a highway-focused drive, be aware that you'll briefly transition onto US 45W and its bypass early in your trip before merging onto the interstate. This initial segment offers a slight change of pace before settling into the rhythm of the highway.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 303.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 45W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 346 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,890 ft331 ft
Total Climb
1,878 ft
Total Descent
1,309 ft
Highest Point
1,890 ft
~271.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,559 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rutherford, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
Knoxville, in Knox County, is the third-largest city in Tennessee. It is the home of the University of Tennessee's primary campus (UTK) and site of the 1982 World's Fair.
Top landmarks
•Sunsphere — observation tower in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
•Andrew Johnson Building — historic high-rise in Knoxville, Tennessee
•Ayres Hall — historic academic building at the University of Tennessee, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 346 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 303.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 37 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Knoxville, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Knoxville, TN before the return drive.
